Joseph Wolter

Joseph M. Wolter, age 60, passed away on Thursday evening, September 12, 2013 with his loving family by his side as God called him home after a 12 year battle with Chronic Lynmphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Joseph was born on December 18, 1952 son of James and Betty Wolter.

Joe was a 1971 graduate of Appleton East High School. On July 13, 1973 he married his high school sweetheart Sue (Gerrits) at St. Bernedette Catholic Church. They spent 40 happy years together. They resided in Appleton where they raised 2 beautiful children Jacob and Jessica.

Joe worked for Presto Products for 12 years before he started his own business JMW Transfer Inc. He truly loved his work. He was just one of the guys. Joe was told many times by his employees how they loved working with him. His sickness never kept him away for his work. Even after chemo treatments he was always right back to work. If asked how he felt his comment was always "ON TOP OF THE WORLD".

Joe loved the outdoors. He loved his fishing and hunting weekends with his dad, son, son-in-law, grandchildren, brothers, nephews, cousin and friends. It had nothing to do with catching any fish or deer, it was just being with the guys. He liked to walk and four wheel around his land watching for any wild animals. He loved going for boat rides and taking his grandchildren fishing at his Shawano lake cottage. There was always competition as to who could catch the biggest fish. He dearly loved his grandchildren.

Joe found pleasure in restoring his Ford Bronco truck which was featured in many magazines. Even through treatments he always found time to work on his Bronco.

His smile and sense of humor could make anyone feel better. Even during his roughest days of fighting cancer, he still had a knack for cracking jokes and having you keep a smile on your face. And while the disease may have taken him, it never beat him. He was an amazing man that many people looked up to. And though he's gone he will always be kept in many people's hearts.

He is survived by his wife Sue; son and daughter-in-law, Jacob and Brenda Wolter; daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Andy Degeneffe; five grandchildren: Breanna, Janelle, Brock Wolter, Joseph and Troy Degeneffe; his parents, Jim and Betty Wolter; siblings: Jim (Chris) Wolter, Jack (Jan) Wolter, Charlene (Andy) Besch, Jeff (Susan) Wolter, Sharon (Ron) Kempen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Mildred Gerrits; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jim (Kathy) Gerrits, Judy (Bill) Rathsack, Tom (Julie) Gerrits, Bonnie (Gary) Funk, Randy (Shirl) Gerrits, Dan (Petra) Gerrits, Dave (Tammy) Gerrits, Tim (Mary) Gerrits, Jeff (Laura) Gerrits and Todd Gerrits; Joe's godchildren: Amy Johnson, Brian Gerrits, Jennifer Keller and Mason Wolter; Joe's god parents, Katie Weber and Daniel Barker (deceased); also many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and our very special friends Chuck and Sherry Kettleson.

Joe is welcomed into heaven by his grandparents: William and Anne Barker, Jacob and Katherine Wolter. Also by his brother-in-law Bob Gerrits, nephew Bradley Heenan.

Friends may call at St. Edward Catholic Church, Mackville on Friday, September 20, 2013 from 3-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Dan Felton, Fr. Charles Brooks and Deacon Jeff Hoffacker officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com .

Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Dr. Timothy Goggins and his staff of wonderful caring nurses at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology. Also would like to thank all the amazing nurses on 4th floor Oncology at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, especially Bret Gerrits. They were all so caring and loving. Also Dr. Walter Longo, nurses Beth and Jean and the staff of the UW Hospital in Madison for all the care, compassionate and willingness to stand by Joe and his family in there time of need. Special thanks to Joe's brother Jim who donated his bone marrow to Joe and also the many family and friends who gave us their support and prayers during Joe's illness.

Joe your strength and courage were an inspiration for all of us.

Sweetheart I will always love you. You are my strength and my hero. You are now "ON TOP OF THE WORLD". Until we meet again.